Charles Crutchfield III MD

Croup, most commonly, is a viral infection of the upper airway in young children. The condition can partially obstruct the airway. This blockage can cause the child to have a strange cough that sounds like a barking dog. Croup often starts out like a common cold, but breathing difficulties may soon develop. The most common […]

Radon is a radioactive, tasteless, odorless and colorless gas that escapes from the ground. It can build up inside homes, especially in the winter when ventilation is limited.

Molecular breast imaging and lung cancer screening are important medical advances Lung cancer screening saves lives On average, over 430 people die, every day, in the United States from lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States. The numbers of people who die from lung cancer every year are more […]

It’s that time of year when we reflect on and recognize our past year’s accomplishments and resolve to improve our performance in other areas that were less than stellar. As we all know, getting in better shape and better health are leading perennial candidates for most everyone’s New Year’s resolutions. The most important thing anyone […]

This is an updated reissue of a previous column. Gout is an extremely painful, inflammatory condition that commonly affects the joints of the large toe, but can affect any joint. About two percent of all Americans experience gout. However, approximately twice as many African Americans suffer from gout (three to four percent). Chronic gout can […]

Autism is a group of brain development disorders that have a variety of manifestations. The hallmark of autism is the inability to interact normally with others using both verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Essentially, autism interferes with the affected person’s ability to communicate, interact socially, and behave normally in social situations. Autism affects children of […]

Eating well is unquestionably one of the very best things you can do for your overall good health. Unfortunately, it can be challenging when someone else is preparing the meal. The good news is that eating healthy and well when you dine out can be easy. All it takes is a bit of planning. Be a […]

Conclusion of a two-part column Hair is strong Hair is remarkably indestructible. It decays very, very slowly over time and is resistant to many chemicals. Hair is composed of the protein keratin. In fact, many unearthed mummies still have hair intact! Most people have about 100,000 hair follicles, but blondes have many more follicles. Blondes can have […]

First of a two-part column Your heart is spectacular Your heart is your most important muscle. It is what keeps you alive. It starts working when you are a developing fetus and never stops. It works 24 hours per day, seven days a week for you and runs for an entire lifetime. Your heart beats 100,000 […]

In the future of medical treatments, new discoveries in circadian rhythms show great promise  In medicine, we have made some amazing advances in the past few years. A case in point is our ability to treat many cancers with immunotherapy. Former president Jimmy Carter had melanoma that had metastasized to his brain. A few short […]

 Second in a Series Blood is one of the most interesting and complex substances known to humankind. Last week we discussed the ability for blood to deliver oxygen to tissues and muscles for growth and performance. In the past, our blood was also associated with “emotions.” If someone was passionate or short-tempered, they were called “hot-blooded.” If someone […]

First in a Series Blood is one of the most interesting and complex substances known to humankind. The very sight of it can make many people faint. The human view of blood has had a fascinating history. Until about 100 years ago, most illness and disease was thought to be from having “bad blood.” As a […]

With school starting up, this is a common problem seen in many medical clinics The medical term for pink eye is conjunctivitis. Pink eye occurs when there is inflammation of the conjunctival part of the eye — the lining of the eyelid and white covering of the eye. The blood vessels become dilated with inflammation, […]

Occasionally, nosebleeds happen to everyone. When they do occur, they can be frustrating and frightening. Nosebleeds can come from trauma, or in some cases, they can just happen on their own. They tend to occur more frequently in dry climates or when the air is dry, like in the winter. Some medications can be drying and increase the […]

In the United States, chronic wounds and skin ulcers affect approximately 10 million people. The annual cost of treating chronic wounds and skin ulcers in the U.S. is estimated, conservatively, in the multi-billions of dollars. The incidence of chronic wounds and skin ulcers are on the rise due to an aging population, obesity, and diabetes. […]

Preventive Medicine is a board-certified specialty of medical practice that focuses on the health of individuals, communities and defined populations. Its goal is to protect, promote and maintain health and well-being and to prevent disease, disability, injury and death. With that in mind, let’s discuss bicycle safety. The popularity of bicycle riding is at an […]